Ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse's brother denounced Monday the UN human rights chief's visit to Sri Lanka as a "big joke", as the former regime stepped up opposition to a UN-backed war-crimes probe.

Under-strength SL have mountain to climb

Sri Lankan shares edged down in thin trade to a one-week low on Monday as global economic woes dented sentiment and investors looked for macroeconomic cues after the International Monetary Fund said the country's 2016 fiscal deficit could widen further.

All Ceylon Farmers Federation has decided to complain to the FCID against the Minister of Agriculture and Paddy Marketing Board for inflicting a loss of Rs.4000 million to the government by handing over 234,800 metric tons of ‘Nadu’ paddy to three mill owners, who are close associated of the government, at reduced prices. They also have taken a decision to take legal action.

The UNP working committee decided at a meeting at Sirikotha this afternoon (08) to appoint Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to the vacant national list MP position.

The official government news portal - www.news.lk has gone offline after failing to make the server payment on time, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns.